Process for closing containers



OC. 10, 1967 C A, JORDAN PROCESS FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 26,1964 F/AG. 2

INVENTOR. CLARE/VCE A. JORDAN AT-roA/ef United States Patent Oiiice3,345,920 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 3,345,920 PROCESS FOR CLOSINGCONTAINERS Clarence A. Jordan, Madison, Wis., assignor to the UnitedStates of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture FiledOct. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 406,628 2 Claims. (Cl. 93-36) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE 'Fhis invention relates to -a process for securing theclosure of the aps of conventional corrugated boxes, especially thoseconstructed of triple wall corrugated liberboard, which has strongspringback tendencies. The invention is carried out by providing, in theinner flaps, slots aligned with the juncture of the outer flaps,attaching pressure sensitive tape to the inner surfaces of the innerilaps, extending the tape through the slots in the inner aps and betweenthe outer iiaps, and then attaching the tape to the outer surfaces ofthe outer flaps.

A non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the inventionherein described throughout the world for all purposes of the UnitedStates Government, with the power to grant sublicenses for suchpurposes, is hereby granted to the Government of the United States ofAmerica.

Triple wall container board is a combination of three corrugated sheets,said sheets being separated and sandwiched by liners. The flaps of boxesconstructed from thi-s material exhibit a strong tendency to spring openafter being closed.

Generally, pressure-sensitive tape tends to slip and loosen undercontinuing stress applied to the plane of the surface to which it isadhered. This characteristics, in combination Iwith the strongspring-back tendency of the aps of triple wall corrugated boxes, hasmade pressuresensitive tape closure of these boxes by conventional meanspractically impossible without using excessive amounts of tape. Otherclosure devices such as hoo-ks or staples tend to damage the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a practical and convenientmethod for fastening container aps in a closed position.

Another object is to utilize the inherent strength of the inner flaps ofa conventional fiberboard container by providing access to 'anchoragesurfaces thereon for pressure-sensitive tape.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of anondestructable, reusable closing and securing process for conventionalberboard containers.

These and other objects which will become apparent to those skilled inthe art will yappear hereafter in the detailed description and inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a iiberboard box in an open state withadhesive coated strips applied to flaps thereof in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of overlapping flaps of a triplewall corrugated container, said flaps being secured with an adhesivecoated strip in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container in FIG. l, the inner andone outer flap thereof being completely closed and the other outer flapbeing partially closed, with adhesive coated strips being applied inaccordance with this invention.

With reference to the drawings and to the characters marked thereon,FIG. l illustrates a rectangular container comprising sides 11, 12, 13,and 14, outer aps 15 and 16, and inner aps 17 and 18, said inner ilapsbeing provided therein with slots 19 and 20. Lengths of adhesive coatedstrips, such as iilament reinforced pressure sensitive tape strips 21,22, 21', and 22 are provided, one portion 23 and 24 of said strips beingattached to the innermost surface 25 of the inner flaps 17 and 18 onboth sides of the slots 19 and 20 with said lengths of adhesive coatedstrips being Isubstantially perpendicular to said slots, and the otherportion 26 and 27 of said strips being extended through said slots andremaining unattached until closure of the inner and outer aps.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slots 19 and 20 in the inner flaps 17 and18 are orientated such that said slots coincide with the juncturecreated by the adjoinin-g edges 28 and 29 of the outer aps 15 and 16when all of said flaps are in a closed position. The slots 19 and 20 maybe cut during the manufacture of the container, r may be provided justprior to closure.

In order to close and fasten the container, the inner aps 17 and 18 yandouter iiaps 15 and 16 are folded inwardly in a conventional manner, thefree ends 21, 22, 26, and 27 of the adhesive coa-ted strips protrudingfrom the top side of said inner aps being brought ou-t between theadjoining edges 28 and 29 of the outer aps, pulled tight and securelyadhered to the top surfaces of said outer ilaps.

It will be `seen from the above description that a reusable, economicaland convenient method for the closure of boxes has been attained whichprevents sensitive tape from loosening and allowing the flaps to springopen.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed 1. In containershaving their inner and outer aps, a process for lfastening the flaps ina closed position which comprises providing slots through inner tiaps inalignment with the concourse of outer flaps, attaching one end ofadhesive coated strips to the innermost surface of said flaps, extendingthe free ends of said adhesive coated strips through said slots and saidconcourse during the closure of said flaps, and aiixing said free endsto the outermost surface of said aps.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said slots are openended at the freeedges of said inner flaps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,987,545 1/1935 Alexander.2,828,905' 4/ 1958 Frizzell 229--47 XR BERNARD STICKNEY, PrimaryExaminer,

1. IN CONTAINERS HAVING THEIR INNER AND OUTER FLAPS, A PROCESS FORFASTENING THE FLAPS IN A CLOSED POSITION WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING SLOTSTHROUGH INNER FLAPS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CONCOURSE OF OUTER FLAPS,ATTACHING ONE END OF ADHESIVE COATED STRIPS TO THE INNERMOST SURFACE OFSAID FLAPS, EXTENDING THE FREE ENDS OF SAID ADHESIVE COATED STRIPSTHROUGH SAID SLOTS AND SAID CONCOURSE DURING THE CLOSURE OF SAID FLAPS,AND AFFIXING SAID FREE ENDS TO THE OUTERMOST SURFACE OF SAID FLAPS.